Doorcheck



Aug. 2, 1932. w. B; FULTON 7 1,869,415

DOORCHECK Filed Dec. 15, 1950 11v VENTOR,

12 11 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 2, 1932 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM, B. FULTON, or WALNUT PARK, CALIFORNIA IDOOBCHEGK Application filed December 15, 1930. Serial No. 502,323.

This. invention relates to door checks.

More particularly the invention has to do with that typeand character of device which isadapted to be attached to any type or character of swinging door for the purpose of preventing a slamming of said door against the door jamb. The inventor is aware that various-devices are now on the market for this purpose but in a large measure most ofsaid devices are either of the automatic character commonlyknown as a door closer, orof the well-known reboundr type. Most of. these devices are large" andunwieldy as well as expensive. Of the cheaper type of devices, most of them are vunsightly. 4

An object of the present invention is to provide a device adapted for attachment to a door or to be incorporated in the door or the door amb in such a'manner that the door may close noiselessly and without appreciable jar. It is important in the art that adoor check does not impose undue stress upon the hinges of the door; otherwise the hinges are liable to be loosened from the door. This is particularly true of screen doors, and the present invention is so constructed with its parts so arranged that the fault'jus t mentioned is overcome in a large measure.

Another object is the provision of a device which is inexpensive, attractive in appearance, does not present undue obstruction, is so arranged that the parts are not liable to get out of order, and which is generally superior to door checks that the inventor now knows of. V

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in'the novel anduseful provision, formation, construction, association, and relative arrangement of parts, members, and features, all as shown in a certain embodiment in the accompanying drawing, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a door and door jambincorporating the invention,

Fi ure 2 is a view similar to'Figure 1, the door being closed to its jamb,

Figure 3 is'a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2 and on an enlarged scale from theshowing of Figure 2, and,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 3. r

Referring with particularity to the draw ing, I have shown at 1 a swing door, such as a screen door, which screen door is adapted to ordinarily swing against a door jamb 2. This figure is representative of the ordinary type of construction resorted to in mostinstances for screen doors. I have also shown at 3 the ordinary type of door which is adapted to close against a jamb 4. The door check is shown at 5 and said door check is adapted to be secured to the door frame and particularly the style member 6 thereof, in such a manner that the door check will strike an end 7 of the door case 8.

The door check 5 includes a casing 9, in the present instance, annular in form and provided with one or'more transverse openings 10, through which openings may be passed screws for the purpose of securing the casing to the style 6. More particularly, other transverse openings 11 diametrically opposite the openings 10 permit a screw driver to be inserted through said openings for engagement with the kerf of a screw. Adapted for placement within the casing and for rolling engagement therein is a shock absorbing member 12. This member, in the present instance, is ball-like in formation, and may be formed of some elastic medium,

such as rubber. This member may be hollow or solid, in accordance with use and service, the general purpose being to either absorb shock or act as a bufier or striker adapted to first contact with the door casing and particularly the jamb member thereof to prevent a slamming of a swinging door which has been opened and allowed to return to its case.

For the purpose of confining the shock absorbing member, several expedients may be resorted to, but in the present instance, I have constricted ends of the casing by pressing certain portions of the casing inwardly thereof as, for example, shown for one end at 13. The opposite end of said casing is likewise provided with a constriction caused by striking the metal in such a manner as to force the same inwardly thereof, as shown at 14. However, the arrangement is such that the member 12 may project outwardly to a given degree from said casing when said member is in one position, as illustrated in both Figures 1 and 4. Also said constriction is such that the member 12 does not become bound and held permanently in the position just referred to but said member is allowed to move freely within the casing. To this end, the casing is of a diameter slightly greater than the member 12, as shown in Figure 3. As stated, the member 12 has movement within the casing, to-wit: a rolling movement.

The operation, uses and advantages of the invention just described are as follows:

Assuming that the casing with the shock absorbing member therein is attached to the door in the manner illustrated in Figure 4: Vhen the door 1 is moved outwardly, centrifugal force will cause the shock absorbing member to move within the casing and to the position shown in Figures 1 and 4. The position is such that after the door has come to a stop due to this outward movement, the shock absorbing member will roll back from the position shown in Figure 1 within the casing to the position shown in Figure 3. When the door commences its return movement to the door case, centrifugal force will again force the member 12' partially outwardly of the casing to such a position that said member will strike the edge 7 of the door case, As this member 12 acts to absorb shock and likewise as a striker or buffer, the door is prevented from slamming or making undue noise resultant upon a slam due to the fact that the member 12 is of resilient material or at best, material which doesnot admit undue noise, and of a material which is preferably made of form-retaining material.

Vhen the member 12- strikes the. edge 7, as

stated, a slamming of the door is prevented and the shock in a measure absorbed by the member 12', after which due to the position of the casing and said member, the door may be moved within the door case to the position shownin Figure 3 so that the door is closed for the reason that the initial centrifugal force that moved the member 12 outwardly has now been expended and the member 12 may be moved within the casing and permit the door to close. To accommodate the CH ing, the door case may be cut away, as shown at 15. In certain installations, such an arrangement is not necessary.

It is within the scope of my invention to reduce the size of the invention from that portion other than the shock absorbing member 12.

I do not wish to be confined to the specific form of casing shown, as various modifications thereof may be resorted to as well as various other methods utilized for the purpose of maintaining the member 12 therein.

Itis perhaps unnecessary to point out that the casing must be mounted to the door style in such a manner as to permit the door to close. To this end, the casing is secured slightly inwardly from the door edge, as shown in Figure 1 in order to compensate for the general radius of movement of the door and any attached object. Furthermore, I do not wish to be limited to the precise degree of 9 outward movement of the member 12, although I have found that the movement permitted and as illustrated in the drawing, is sufficient for my purpose, the principle of the invention being that a portion of the shock absorbing member will strike an edge of the door case in such a manner as to immediately absorb the shock and then permit the member v12 to roll within the casing and out of position so that the door may close. It is thus evident that if the edge of the door case was sharp that the member 12 might be cut. However, due to the rolling movement permitted the member 12, the door case hardly ever strikes the same surface portion of the particular showing of the drawing without departing from the true spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. In a door check, a casing, a roller type shock absorbing member mounted for free movement within said casing, means for restricting movementv of said roller member Within said casing and whereby said roller member may have a portion of the surface thereof projected beyond one end of the casing.

2. The combination with a swing door, of

a shock absorbing member adapted to engage: the door case when the door is swung there:- to, said shock absorbing member being mounted for free movement whereby constantly changing surface thereof is: presented I 

